A Home Office spokesman said: “We welcome Vodafone’s decision and would encourage other mobile phone operators to follow their lead, whilst we review charges for the 101 non-emergency telephone number.”

The Daily Telegraph reported that Vodafone will make 101 calls free for all seven million of its pay-as-you-go users from the end of this month, exempting them from the 15p flat-rate fee.

A spokesman for the firm said: “We have been looking to make improvements for customers.

“It was decided it would be beneficial for pay-as-you-go customers who tend to be more vulnerable to zero-rate the 101 service.”

Tim Loughton, a former minister and senior member of the Home Affairs committee said: “This is great news.”

Adding: ”We need to make it easier to contact the police and I hope in return they will respond more urgently and appropriately.”

A policing watchdog had warned that the public was losing confidence in the non-emergency service and were turning to 999 to report minor offences and non-emergencies.

In a report last month, outgoing UK Victims Commissioner Baroness Newlove recommended reviewing the cost of 101 calls to see whether they should be free, like dialling 999.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Vodafone will make 101 calls free for all seven million of its pay-as-you-go users from the end of this month, exempting them from the 15p flat-rate fee.

A spokesman for the firm said: “We have been looking to make improvements for customers.